Methods in Anopheles Research - MR4

Chapter 9 : Obtaining Live Material9.1 Permits and RegulationsPage 1 of 4Chapter 9 : Obtaining Live Material9.1 Permits & RegulationsPaul HowellIntroductionObtaining insect vectors for research purposes is often a lengthy process involving the procurement ofpermits and the development of an adequate space to contain them. In the past 5 years, several rulesand regulations have changed concerning the importation of insect vectors into the United States as wellas transfer of vectors within the country. Permits are necessary before any species can be imported intothe United States; however, in most states permits are not needed in interstate transfers of vectors.California, Florida, Texas, and Hawaii often have more strict rules for importing exotic vectors that couldpotentially become established due to the hospitable climate in these states. Although there are noreports of a vector escaping from a laboratory into the wild in North America, the potential exists for anescapee becoming established as evidenced by the inadvertent introduction of An. gambiae into Brazil inthe early 20th century (Soper and Wilson 1943).Import and Export Permits (updated May 2010)USPHS 42 CFR Part 71.54 states (a) A person may not import into the United States, nor distribute afterimportation, any etiologic agent or any arthropod or other animal host or vector of human disease, or anyexotic living arthropod or other animal capable of being a host or vector of human disease unlessaccompanied by a permit issued by the Director. As of 2010, the CDC Etiologic Agent Import PermitProgram (EAIPP) states that they will only issue a permit for “living vectors containing, or suspected ofcontaining an etiologic agent”. Importations of live eggs from long-established laboratory colonies or deador preserved materials no longer require a permit from the CDC.Per the CDC EAIPP: To facilitate clearance of materials that do not require a U.S. PHS Import Permit, it isrecommended that each shipment of this material be accompanied by a signed statement, on officialletterhead, from the person responsible for the shipment of this material with the following information:(1) A description of the material;(2) A statement that this material meets one of the above criteria (e.g., this material is not known orsuspected to contain an etiological agent, host, or vector of human disease); and,(3) Verification that it has been packaged, labeled, and transported in accordance with all applicableregulations. Note that other permits may be required (e.g., USDA).In addition, as of 2007 a valid USDA-APHIS permit is needed in order to complete any internationalimportation. As of 2010 the USDA will no longer allow hand-carrying of any samples into the UnitedStates. All materials, either living or dead, will require a permit and must be shipped using a commercialcarrier service such as Federal Express. This is in response to a GAO mandate that all material enteringthe United States be sent using a commercial carrier so that there are physical records showing that thematerials have been received by the appropriate party.Information on these permits is given below. Shipments without a USDA-APHIS permit are subject tobeing held at customs for an extended period of time or returned to the sender depending on the carrierbeing used.